Megawati calls for mutual respect

Megawati calls for mutual respect

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

President Megawati Soekarnoputri has called for mutual respect
and parity among member countries of the Asia-Europe forum.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the fifth Asia-Europe
Meeting (ASEM) here on Thursday, Megawati asserted that dictating
to each other would only lead to the failure of cooperation
between the countries.

"Our experience has taught us that it is essential to build
mutual understanding, refrain from the imposition of will and
respect each other when we are determined to engage in
cooperation," Megawati told participants of the meeting.

The President pointed out that there were differences of
opinions between Asia and Europe when it came to dealing with
various issues, which she said could be solved should both sides
always be mindful and accept the differences.

Her statement came against the backdrop of the growing
perception in Asia that Europe continues to judge several
countries through their standards of human rights and
democratization.

Despite most Asian countries needing financial support from
Europe, the pressure to emulate democratization in Europe in
exchange for aid is difficult to accept by Asian countries.

In her opening remarks, Megawati said there should be a
sincere intention by both Asian and European sides when working
together.

"It is within the Asia-Europe partnership that I would like to
underline that we need to be really sincere, honest and earnest
to accept and respect differences," she stressed.

"Each and every one of us is aware of the differences between
Asia and Europe, and in fact is also mindful of the diversity
existing even among countries in Asia."

She said that both continents had wasted time and energy to
make the existing cooperation work, but the results had been
inadequate due to the ongoing debate on the differing approaches
in dealing with things.

"Admittedly, we have wasted much time without really
accomplishing substantive and concrete benefit to our people in
our joint efforts to carry out our vision into the 21st century,"
Megawati said.